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Johann Heinrich Alfred Escher vom Glas, also known as Alfred Escher (20 February 1819 [citation needed] – 6 December 1882), was a Swiss politician, business leader and railway pioneer.
Alfred Escher is one of the most important personalities of Swiss politics and economic history. We are proud to call him our founder.
As a key figure behind the construction of the first Gotthard tunnel as well as the founding of the forerunners to both Credit Suisse and ETH Zurich, Alfred Escher had a profound and lasting impact on Switzerland's transition to the modern age.
Alfred Escher was a dominant figure in 19th-century Zürich politics and legislator of national prominence who, as a railway magnate, became a leading opponent of railway nationalization. Quickly rising in cantonal political affairs, Escher had by 1848 become president of the Zürich government.
Alfred Escher was the man who shaped modern Switzerland and introduced some of the most significant economic influences in the country’s history. His contributions transcended borders and mountains, leaving a global imprint, while at the same time opening the country to the world.
Learn about the life and legacy of Alfred Escher, the influential Zurich politician, railway pioneer and bank founder. Explore documents, photos, letters and literature from the Zentralbibliothek Zürich.
Erfahren Sie mehr über das beeindruckende Lebenswerk von Alfred Escher, der den Aufbruch zur modernen Schweiz nachhaltig geprägt hat. Er war ein führender Politiker, Eisenbahnpionier, Gründer der ETHZ und Projektant der Alpentransversale.
